Apple Piecaken Food

THE BEST APPLE PIE

Steps:

• For the dough: Pulse the flour, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor to combine. Add the butter and process until the largest pieces of butter are pea-size. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Stir the vodka, vinegar and 1/4 cup ice water in a small bowl (or 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon ice water if you're not using vodka). Drizzle the wet ingredients over the dough, and then mix with a fork until shaggy pieces form. Knead the dough in the bowl with your hands a couple of times until it comes together (it will look quite dry, which is fine). Transfer the large clumps of dough to a work surface. Drizzle 1 tablespoon ice water over any remaining smaller bits of dough in the bowl and knead again to bring it together. If the remaining dough is still too dry to come together, add more ice water in 1 tablespoon increments. Add to the dough on the work surface and press together into a single mass, incorporating any dry bits. Then pat the dough into a 1-inch-thick block. Divide the block into 4 pieces with a bench scraper or knife. Stack the pieces on top of one another, tucking any unincorporated dry bits in between the layers. Flatten the dough into a 3/4-inch-thick block. Repeat this process (cutting, stacking and flattening) three more times; this creates layers of butter in the dough that produces a wonderful flaky, almost puff pastry-like crust.
• Divide the dough in half and form into 1-inch-thick discs; wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or preferably overnight. The dough can be made 3 days ahead. Keep it refrigerated or freeze it for up to 3 months.
• To fill and assemble: Peel, core and slice the apples into 1/2-inch wedges. Toss the apples, brown sugar, flour, butter, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, allspice and nutmeg in a large bowl. Let the fruit sit for 30 minutes to extract the juices.
• Meanwhile, soften one dough disc at room temperature for 5 minutes. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly flour your work surface. Roll the dough out to 1/8-inch thick (about 16 inches in diameter). Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate. Soften the second disc at room temperature for 5 minutes. Then roll it out to the same thickness and diameter as the first disc.
• Carefully transfer the second disc to a 9-inch pie dish. Lift the edges so the dough slumps down into the dish. Press the dough firmly against the sides and bottom of the dish. Trim the edges, leaving about a 1-inch overhang. Refrigerate for 5 minutes to firm up. Remove the first disc from the refrigerator and let it soften for 5 minutes.
• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Line another rimmed baking sheet with foil and place it on the center rack.
• Scrape the apple filling into the pie dish, creating a mound in the center. Beat the egg with 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl and brush the edges of the dough. Place the other disc over the filling. Trim the edges, leaving about a 1/2-inch overhang. Fold the bottom edge up and over the top edge; press together to seal. Crimp the edge and brush the top with egg wash. Sprinkle with the demerara sugar. Cut several vents in the top evenly spaced. Freeze the pie for 10 minutes.
• Put the pie dish on the preheated baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 375 degrees F. Continue to bake for 45 minutes, and then loosely tent with foil. Continue baking until the crust is a deep golden brown and the juices are thick and vigorously bubbling, 35 to 45 minutes longer. The juices will start to bubble at around 75 minutes, but they will thicken and bubble faster in the last 15 minutes; don't be tempted to pull it out until the bubbles are really going. (If using a clear pie dish, check underneath to make sure the bottom crust is evenly browned.) Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let it cool at least 4 hours before serving. (Yes, it smells amazing, and yes, people love warm pie. But if you don't give it time to set up properly, the filling will be runny when you cut into it.)

SUNNY'S EASY CHOCOLATE APPLE PIE CAKE

Steps:

• For the chocolate apple pie cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Use the butter to grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch cake pan or springform pan. Cut out a circle of parchment paper to fit the pan and place it on the bottom.
• In a large bowl, prepare the cake batter as instructed on the box. Pour 1 cup of the batter into the cake pan and spread it out. Add the apple pie on top of the cake batter, then pour the rest of the cake batter over the top and around the sides. Spread it to make sure there are no air pockets.
• Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center and around the edges comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, turn the cake out onto the rack, peel off the parchment paper and allow to cool completely.
• For the ganache: Pour the chocolate chips into a medium bowl. In a small pot on medium heat, add the heavy cream, rum and a pinch of salt and whisk until warm. Pour over the bowl of chips and allow to sit and soak in for 2 minutes. Whisk to melt the chocolate completely.
• Place the cake on a serving platter, pour the ganache in the center and spread gently outward over the edges. Sprinkle with the pecans and serve.

PIECAKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray three 9-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.
• Mix the cake batters according to the box directions.
• Pour about 1 cup of the chocolate cake batter in one of the cake pans. Remove the custard pie from its metal tin, put it in the center of the cake pan and gently press it into the batter. Add more cake batter to completely cover the pie but do not fill to the top of the cake pan. Tap the cake pan on the counter to make sure the batter surrounds the pie.
• Pour about 1 cup of the strawberry cake batter in a second cake pan. Remove the lemon pie from its metal tin, put it in the center of the cake pan and gently press it into the batter. Add more cake batter to completely cover the pie but do not fill to the top of the cake pan. Tap the cake pan on the counter to make sure the batter surrounds the pie.
• Pour about 1 cup of the vanilla cake batter in a second cake pan. Remove the cherry pie from its metal tin, put it in the center of the cake pan and gently press it into the batter. Add more cake batter to completely cover the pie but do not fill to the top of the cake pan. Tap the cake pan on the counter to make sure the batter surrounds the pie.
• Bake the cakes until the centers are sturdy when the cakes are gently shaken and the cakes start to pull away from the edges of the pans, 40 to 50 minutes.
• Let the cakes cool in their pans for 30 minutes, then remove from pans and place the cakes on racks. Let cool completely, about 4 hours.
• Trim the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife so they are level, making sure not to cut it too far down and cut into the pie.
• Place the vanilla cake layer on a plate or cake stand. Place the strawberry layer on the vanilla cake layer and then place the chocolate cake layer on top of the strawberry layer.
• Frost the outside of the cake with the Vanilla American Buttercream.
• Combine the butter, confectioners' sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl if using a handheld electric mixer). Mix on low speed until mostly incorporated. Add the vanilla, increase the speed to medium-high and mix until smooth. Adjust the consistency with milk as desired. Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Allow to come to room temperature and mix on medium-high until smooth.

APPLE-PIE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Using an electric mixer or a pastry cutter, cut in butter until the mixture forms pea-size pieces. Press 2/3 of the mixture onto bottom and 1 inch up the side of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel apples, cut into thin slices, and place in a bowl. Pour off any accumulated liquid. Toss apple slices with remaining teaspoon cinnamon and lemon juice, and put them in the prepared pan, pressing down gently as you pack them in (they will mound above the edge of the pan). Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top.
• Put the pan on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Run a knife around the edge of the pan, and let the cake cool in the pan to set. Serve at room temperature.

THANKSGIVING PIECAKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Spray a 8" cake pan with non stick spray and line with a round of parchment paper.
• Make the Apple Topping:.
• Peel, core and cut it into quarters. Slice each quarter into very thin (1/16") slices. Melt the butter in the microwave. In a bowl, toss the butter, brown sugar and apples together. Spread the apple mixture into a thin layer in the bottom of the prepared cake pan and bake in the oven for 10 minutes; The sugar and butter should be melted and the apples should start to soften. There may be a little liquid that has seeped out of the apples, that is fine.
• Let the pan cool while you make the cake.
• Make the Spice Cake:.
• Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a medium bowl and whisk until blended together. In a large mixing bowl whisk the oil and sugar together, it's actually easier to do this by hand than with an electric mixer. If you really like the mixer, use it. Add both of the eggs and whisk until smooth, you don't have to spend a lot of time on this, just whisk it together. Add the buttermilk and vanilla and whisk until incorporated. Add the dry ingredients in two installments, whisking until blended.
• Carefully pour the batter over the apple layer. If you dump it on top, you run the risk of displacing the apples and ruining the pretty apple design! (it will still taste good).
• Return the pan to the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until the center of the cake is fully cooked. Once the cake has cooled for 20 minutes, flip it out of the cake pan and onto a cooling rack. Remove the parchment. Let cool fully while you make the frosting.
• Make the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting:.
• Find a pot that will fit the bottom of the bowl of a KitchenAid, fill it with three inches of water and bring to a simmer. Place the egg whites and the sugar in the mixer bowl and place over the simmering pot of water. Stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is warm, about 4 minutes.
• Place the bowl on the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on medium high until cool (about 8 to 10 minutes). Cut the butter into 1 inch cubes and gradually add to the mixer. Mix until the butter has incorporated and the frosting is light and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add the salt, vanilla and cinnamon and whisk until combined.
• Assemble the PieCaken:.
• It is easier to assemble the PieCaken if the pies are chilled.
• With a small knife, cut the outer crust off the pies, leaving only the filling and the bottom crust. With a serrated knife, cut off what was the top of the cake, which is now on the bottom. Do this by cutting straight through the cake horizontally about a half inch up the side of the cake. Reserve the scraps for snacking.
• On an 8 inch cake board or serving plate, place the pecan pie. Spread a ½ inch layer of frosting over the top of the pie. Place the pumpkin pie on top and spread a ½ inch of frosting on top. Place the cake, apple side up, on top of the frosting. With a serrated knife, trim the sides of the cake to be flush with the pies.
• Eat the scraps.
• Using an offset spatula, spread a ½ inch layer of frosting around the cake, covering the sides. Using a piping bag with whatever tip you want, pipe a pretty border around the top of the cake. I like to leave the top of the cake unfrosted so you can see the apples.
• Refrigerate the PieCaken for at least an hour or tightly wrapped for up to 5 days.
• Let sit at room temperature for an hour before serving so the buttercream softens.
• Cut the PieCaken into 8 to 12 slices using a sharp knife dipped in hot water.
• Serve with whipped cream or ice cream!

PUFF PASTRY APPLE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon; add apples and toss to coat. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry sheet into a 12-in. square. Cut each into four squares. , Spoon 1/2 cup apple mixture into the center of each square; fold diagonally in half and press edges to seal. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet., In a small bowl, combine the butter, sugar and cinnamon; brush over pastry. Bake at 400° for 12-16 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.